Marcus Alley honored with emeritus status

September 20, 2010

Marcus Alley

Marcus Alley, the W.G. Wysor Professor of Crop and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the “W.G. Wysor Professor Emeritus of Crop and Environmental Sciences” title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The title of emeritus may be conferred on retired professors and associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members who are specially recommended to the board of visitors by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board of visitors receive an emeritus certificate from the university.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1977, Alley has made many national and international contributions to the areas of plant nutrition, nutrient use, and soil-crop management systems. He has written more than 60 journal articles and numerous book chapters, review of proceedings, and applied publications.

Alley has received numerous awards for research and extension accomplishments, including being named a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America. He has served as president of the American Society of Agronomy.

In addition, he has taught undergraduate courses in soil fertility and management and graduate courses in soil-plant relationships. He has contributed significantly to Virginia Cooperative Extension efforts by training and supporting extension agents and agribusiness, government, and agency personnel in new procedures for improving nutrient use efficiency and continuous no-till crop production.

He received his bachelor’s degree Berea College and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.